Car & Travel Guide for Golden Retrievers

When pet owners need to embark on a journey this poses the question – can you travel with large breeds like Golden Retrievers? Yes, you can!

Goldens, as retrievers are often called, not only have a golden coat, but also a golden character. An ideally obedient, efficient, and calm dog who understands everything perfectly.

However, for a four-legged traveller, unfamiliar smells, sounds, sudden movements create a stressful situation. Therefore, in order not to spoil the trip for yourself and not harm your pet, we have prepared a car & travel guide for Golden Retrievers to help you plan in advance.

Are there rules for transporting a Golden Retriever?

Two conditions must be met:

• Do not restrict the driver’s view;
• Do not interfere with the operation of the machine.

These requirements are very logical. A barking dog rushing about, throwing itself at the windows, is really capable of causing an accident. For the rest, you are free to do whatever you see fit – to carry your pet in the front or back seat, in a cage, in a hammock, in an autobox, or fastening a belt.

Remember – in addition to convenience, the safety should always come first.

Therefore, it is important that the dog is maintained in a fixed position during the trip and does not “swing” during sudden braking or u-turns. Otherwise, there is a risk of motion sickness or injury.

What devices are there for transporting dogs in a car?

Depending on the size of the dog and its attitude to travel in the car, they can travel with the assistance of the following products:

Using a Dog Cage for Travel

A cage is suitable for a puppy as it can be lifted and repositioned alone. This is convenient if you are without companions, or when you do not want the dog to be free to walk around (for example, if it is raining or muddy outside and you don’t want to stain the upholstery within the car). Or you have not yet accustomed your pet to travel in a car, but the trip is essential.

For an adult and heavier Golden Retriever, dog boxes are better suited.

Dog Box for Travel

A dog box is a modern type of cage, the most convenient and suitable for transporting large dogs in the trunk of a car. It is made from durable and environmentally friendly materials that do not harm the health of animals.

There are some models with a built-in storage system: you can put your essentials, toys and feeding items in there.

Dog Car Harness and Seat Belt

The harness is put on the dog’s body and does not squeeze the throat and chest, evenly distributing the load throughout the body. A harness designed for walking is equally suitable during transportation.

The harness will help make your ride safer by attaching it to the seat belt slot using a special leash designed for transporting dogs.

The main advantage of this design is that your Golden Retriever is securely fixed on the car seat and does not experience any discomfort. And after the end of the trip, you just need to unfasten the belt, and that’s it!

Dog Hammocks

Yes, hammock are for dogs too! More precisely for transporting pets in a car. It makes no sense to use such an invention for a puppy since it is more suitable for medium and large dogs.

It is essentially just fancy bedding that attaches to the headrests between the front and rear seats, taking the shape of a hammock. Moreover, hammocks not only ensures the safety of your pet but also protects the interior from wool, dust, and dirt from his feet.

Car & Travel guide for Golden Retrievers: Preparing for your Trip

So how do you prepare for your trip with Golden Retriever?

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What else should you know?

To train your Golden Retriever for the car, there are three simple rules to keep in mind for your first trips:

• The trip doesn’t have to be long;
• The speed of movement should not be high;
• Most importantly, you should not combine a trip with a visit to a veterinarian or other place where the pet may be hurt or have an unpleasant experience.
• Associations with the car and travel should only be the most joyful.

For a short trip, bring a rag, napkins, or paper towels, a bottle of water and a bowl for the car so that it is more convenient for you to provide water for your Golden Retriever at any time.

Our recommendations for a long trip

If we are already talking about a longer trip, then the following will come in handy:

• Food and water (on the way, your pet will want to eat, also remember to bring supplies of food that your pet is used to as this may not be available at your destination),
• Bowls for food and water,
• Documents (a veterinary passport may unexpectedly come in handy),
• Spare collar, muzzle, leash, and harness
• Plenty of toys, and chewing accessories.

When traveling with your furry friend, there are a few rules to follow:

• Don’t be distracted. Your and his safety depends on it.
• Never leave a dog in a closed car, even in a shaded spot with the windows down. This is dangerous, the sun can change direction and temperatures can rapidly increase putting your dog’s safety at risk.
• Stop every 2-3 hours so your pet can stretch, exercise and drink. You will also find it helpful to walk a little.
• Do not let your dog out of the car without a leash during stops and immediately after reaching your destination. Your pet can get disorientated from the journey and run away.

And yes, last but not least, keep your windows closed. The dog’s face sticking out of the window looks funny in a photo on the Internet, but your pet can be blown out, and you will have to treat it. It is better to turn on the air conditioner or open a small crack in the window on your side to ensure your pet’s safety while travelling.

At first glance, it may seem that transporting dogs in a car is a complex process with many challenges. But in reality, this is not so, and very soon, you will not even be able to remember how you got along while traveling without your four-footed friend!

By following these recommendations, you will be able to make your trip safe, comfortable, and interesting.

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